Suspects arrested after body found on side of road

Two men were arrested in connection to a death investigation after a body was discovered on the side of a road in Jackson Springs.

The body was located on the side of Mill Road, near Martin Road, at the Moore and Montgomery County border just before 5 p.m. on July 26.

Video by Sandhills Sentinel.

“Upon arrival of emergency personnel, an unidentified female was found to be deceased on the shoulder of the road,” said Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields in a news release.

Investigators worked throughout the night and positively identified the victim as Jolee Diane Mercer, 34, of Eagle Springs.

 Officials set up a tent and police tape on the side of Mill Road/Sandhills Sentinel.

On the same night, sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Candor and seized a vehicle in connection with the found body.

During the search warrant, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested Timothy McCaskill, 53, of Candor.

McCaskill was charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver schedule III controlled substance, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver heroin, felony trafficking opium or heroin, and various other misdemeanor drug charges.

On July 27, Moore County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Jonathan Flowers, 38, of Jackson Springs.

Flowers was charged with one count of felony concealment of a death and one count of felony disturbing human remains. Flowers was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond pending an appearance in Moore County district court on Aug. 25.

Authorities work the scene after a female’s body was discovered in Jackson Springs on July 26/Sandhills Sentinel.

Investigators are still working to establish the connection between Mercer and Flowers and the events leading up to the discovery of her body. The cause of death is also still under investigation pending an autopsy at the North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information about the death of Jolee Mercer is requested to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931 or provide information through the anonymous crime tip line at 910-947-4444.

Feature photo: Jonathan Flowers (left) and Timothy McCaskill. Photos provided by Moore County Sheriff’s Office.